Should I add a second filter?

[bookmayer]

I have a 43 gallon hex tank with eheim 2024 filter. The water flow out of the filter dramatically drops about every two weeks and I have to take the filter apart and clean out the tubing. There is a lot of brown algae in it. If I don't stay on top of it, my water quality goes south really fast from the slow filtration.

I've wondered if I should consider a second filter - maybe hang on tank with bio-wheel. Extra filtration and water movement.

My other concern with the hex is that there isn't enough water movement near the bottom of the tank.

It's a community tank with gouramis (3), tetras(3), cories (2), rainbow (2), one small pleco and one big pleco (10 inches and very messy).

Recommendations?

 

[bookmayer]

I should add water paramaters are normal. Nitrates were up a little 2 weeks ago, but I got those back to normal.

 

[Easydoesit]

well it certainly wouldnt hurt to add a HOT or HOB filter. i like my penguins w/ biowheels, but if the water isnt constantly topped up, the noise of the water splashing is kind of annoying. it is pretty quiet otherwise

 

[BoredAgain]

Adding a HOT or HOB would definitely improve things....I like Penguins.

 

[irishspy]

I don't think you can go wrong adding a second filter.

 

[Preposterous]

A good prefilter is what you need. I like this one. It sits at the bottom and will catch most detritus and is really easy to clean.

http://www.jtdiscountstore.com/servlet/the-4320/EHEIM-PREFILTER,-Prefilter,-AEH4004620,/Detail

 

[BoredAgain]

A good prefilter is what you need. I like this one. It sits at the bottom and will catch most detritus and is really easy to clean.

http://www.jtdiscountstore.com/servlet/the-4320/EHEIM-PREFILTER,-Prefilter,-AEH4004620,/Detail

Better price here... http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753136

 

[Rbishop]

The 2024 would be a bit small for your tank, IMO. Go bigger if you can. You can also use a powerhead to get some more circulation at the bottom. I would also consider re-homing the plecos.

 

[Reddog80p]

The 2024 would be a bit small for your tank, IMO. Go bigger if you can. You can also use a powerhead to get some more circulation at the bottom. I would also consider re-homing the plecos.

:iagree:
Trade in your plecos for a smaller ones. Get a male/female pair of Bristlenose or Clown plecos.

 

[Coler]

Definitely add a second filter, if only for the built in redundancy in the event that something went wrong with what you have. It does sound as you are in any event under-filtered at the moment.